Touring by motorcycle - Kawasaki Versys 650 
There seems to be a popular misconception that you need a "touring" bike fully kitted with hard panniers and what have you to tour on a motorcycle. This is absolute rubbish - you can tour on almost anything. One of the guys I was with was on a Ducati Hypermotard. Admittedly a nice big BMW or a Honda Gold Wing or a Pan European with all the trimmings including a sound system might be a bit more comfortable, with a bigger tank range etc but you don't actually need it. I was speaking to a rider recently who had been to the Arctic Circle on an ancient MZ 250 Two stroke. In the past I've toured "two up" on a Suzuki GT750 and a Suzuki Katana amongst others for up to two weeks. In fact I did 720 miles in one day on the Suzuki in the early 1980s (ha, never again!).
In fact touring on a hybrid or sports bike means that you can also have a load of serious fun in the twisties when you get to wherever you are going.
Apart from what I was standing in at the time, this is how I travelled the best part of 2700 Kilometers in a week at speeds of up to 110 mph for miles on end on a German Autobahn - a comfortable cruising speed on the 650 Versys was about 94mph (70mph back in the UK seemed very slow by comparison and even worse much of the M62 was down to 50mph in Yorkshire, once we hopped off the ferry).
There was no problem with comfort riding position wise at all, apart from wind buffetting at higher speeds. The bike was doing about 10 miles a litre so could go about 180 miles between fill ups. It seems to do 10 miles per litre however I ride it.
I had some original Kawasaki heated grips fitted before setting off. A total waste of money IMHO.
Rule numero uno learnt from my Dad who used to be in the Armed Forces is roll stuff up - it is magic!
My packing list
Ferry tickets
Passport
EHIC Card
Maps
Pen
Travel and Bike Insurance documents
Tool kit
Swiss Army Knife
Chain lube
Sun screen
Vehicle registration document
Spare keys
High visibility jacket
Spare bulbs
Medication
U and Disc Locks
Custom made earplugs
GB Sticker
Mobile phone and Charger
Boots
Garmin Sat Nav and charger
Givi S950 Sat Nav case and bracket
Specs and sunglasses
Buff (or scarf)
Spare gloves and overmitts
Thermal top
Sweatshirt
Camelbak hydration
Helmet including Sunax visor
Euro currency
Credit card
Arai Helmet
Waterproof suit
Jacket
Leather jeans
Long socks
Jeans/T Shirts/Socks and undies
Belt (to tie up the roll of stuff as well as keeping my trousers up!)
Trainers/sneakers or whatever
Toiletries/toothbrush
Travel adapter
Roll of garbage sacks (rubble sacks are strongest)
Swimming trunks
Cycle shorts with padding
and of course my camera and charger.
All mainly fitted into a sports holdall and some essentials in the original Kawasaki SW Motech tank bag.
The bike also has an aftermarket rear hugger to keep all the road grime of the shock absorber, a Givi rack and paddock stand bobbins. It now has Pirelli Angels front and rear - designed with the Sport Touring rider in mind...apparently.
The holdall (wrapped in a waterprrof sack or two) was lashed to the seat with a Motrax bungee spider like thingy and two of those green things. Solid as a rock. I was debating whether or not to use a Givi top case but decided against it for two reasons. It doesn't expand. And I wanted to keep as much weight as possible as low down and forward as possible as I didn't fancy a tank slapper at one ten.
No problemo.
davekpcv on 2012-09-30 15:25:49
Tagged: , tour , touring , motorcycle , motorbike , ISDE 2012 , packing list , motorcycle touring , Kawasaki , KAWASAKI VERSYS , touring by motorcycle , motorcycle tours , givi , SW Motech , Arai , helmet , packed for touring , touring motorcycle , pirelli angel , geotagged
